Major city tense as ruling over gruesome murders imminent

San Francisco, Dominican Republic.- The day has come when the San Francisco de Macorís three-judge panel Court must hand down their ruling for the murder of pregnant teen Emely Peguero, as tension grips the country’s third city.

The National Police has deployed additional officers from Santiago to avert any disturbance stemming from the imminent ruling announced for 2pm.

On Monday dozens of people from Emely’s hometown of Cenovi staged a demonstration to demand justice for the murders that include the teen’s five-month fetus.

Although the protest on Monday was peaceful, it emerged that the population of Duarte province (northeast) will anxiously await the judges’ decision.

Warning to judges

“If there is no conviction, there will be problems in the streets,” warned activists of community organizations grouped in the Falpo.

Judges María de los Ángeles Concepción, Víctor Inoa and Carminia Caminero are under society’s watchful eye, who must decide the fate of Marlon and his mother Marlin Martínez, accused of the murders.

Marlon faces a maximum sentence of 30 years, while Marlin could get up to 20 years in prison.